Many individuals and business households are confused by the new tax regulations, especially regarding revenue declaration, the use of electronic invoices, and the handling of goods without input invoices.
From June 1st, 2025, business households with revenue exceeding 1 billion VND will be required to use electronic invoices generated from cash registers, connected to the tax authorities.
According to numerous tax forums, many individuals and business households are confused by the new regulations, especially regarding revenue declaration, the use of electronic invoices, and the handling of goods without input invoices.
❓ If there are no input invoices, is it possible to issue output invoices?
Previously, buying and selling without invoices or using only handwritten receipts was very common, especially for goods imported from wholesale markets or familiar distributors. But now, with regulations requiring declarations based on actual transactions, business owners are confused about whether they need to prepare all clear input invoices and documents if they want to legitimize their goods when selling them.
Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Tu – former Director General of the General Department of Taxation, former editor-in-chief Tax Magazine – It was stated that for household businesses, the tax is calculated directly at a fixed rate of 1.5 – 4.5% of revenue (depending on the industry).
Unlike the deduction method, this method does not allow for input tax compensation, so there is no need to worry about having complete input invoices. While there is no need to be overly concerned yet, as the transition will require a roadmap, experts also point out that requiring complete input invoices will reduce other legal risks related to goods of unclear origin…
But now, with regulations requiring declarations based on actual transactions, business households are required to have clear input invoices and supporting documents if they want to legitimize their goods when selling them.
Exchange with Youth OnlineAccording to lawyer Nguyen Thanh Phong (Phap Tri Law Firm, Hanoi Bar Association), input invoices are invoices provided when purchasing goods, materials, and paying for services to support business operations.
Input invoices are crucial in accounting and tax management, serving as the basis for businesses to record expenses, deduct taxes, and settle tax obligations.
"Businesses are not allowed to issue output invoices without input invoices," Mr. Phong said.
Mr. Phong also warned that issuing output invoices without input invoices violates the law regarding the timing of invoice issuance and may result in administrative penalties of up to 8 million VND.
In serious cases, criminal prosecution for tax evasion may also be considered.
However, according to Clause 2, Article 3 of Circular 119/2014/TT-BTC, in some cases such as lending, borrowing, or returning machinery, equipment, and materials – if there is a valid contract and documentation – businesses are not required to issue invoices, calculate, and pay VAT.
🤔 Do online businesses need a cash register?
According to experts, e-commerce businesses with annual revenue of 1 billion VND or more, subject to tax declaration, are also required to use electronic invoices with tax authority codes, generated from point-of-sale systems.
Specifically, lawyer Nguyen Thanh Phong stated that business households and individual businesses meeting the following conditions will be required to use electronic invoices from cash registers: Having revenue exceeding 1 billion VND; engaging in the sale of goods and services directly to consumers, including shopping malls, supermarkets, retail stores (excluding cars, motorcycles, and other motor vehicles); food and beverage establishments, restaurants, hotels; passenger transport services, road transport support; arts, entertainment, film screening services, and other personal services as regulated by the economic sector.
According to Mr. Phan Phuong Nam, deputy head of the Commercial Law Faculty at Ho Chi Minh City University of Law, many small businesses have been using handwritten invoices for decades. Now, finding suppliers with complete invoices and documentation will also take time.
For goods purchased previously without input invoices, businesses urgently need specific guidance from the tax authorities.
Public awareness campaigns, training, and support should be intensified, and a 1-2 year transition period should be in place to allow people to adapt. Immediate, harsh penalties could cause widespread panic and anxiety, Mr. Nam noted.
⚠️ Do not attempt to evade your tax obligations.
According to tax experts, in the context of increasingly transparent laws and increasingly interconnected data systems, a lack of understanding or deliberate evasion of tax obligations can lead to serious legal consequences.
According to a tax official, many businesses still use cash transactions to avoid declaring their actual revenue.
However, with current management technology, tax authorities can rely on various data sources – from input invoices and cash flow to the volume of goods transported and consumed – to analyze, compare, and determine tax obligations.
"Taxation is a mandatory obligation, but fulfilling it correctly and fully is also the foundation for businesses to operate transparently, develop stably, and sustainably," this person emphasized.
Article source: Tuoi Tre Online Newspaper